Locking system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a lock system for locking theft attractive property to fixed, preferably immovable objects (3), such as buildings, posts, etc., with the aid of an anchoring member (2) and a user-carried separate lock (6). The anchoring member (2) includes a first end (2a) which may be connected fixedly to the fixed object or the property. The anchoring member (2) also includes a second end (2b) which with the aid of the lock (6) may be locked either directly to a part of the property or to the fixed object subsequent to having passed an intermediate part (2c) of the anchoring member around a part of the property.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the problem of locking theftattractive objects, such as bicycles, skiing equipment, golf equipment,boats/boat motors, etc., when said objects are placed outdoors or incommon rooms, and relates particularly to a method and to a lock systemfor locking such objects.

BACKGROUND ART

The general background of the invention is the fact that the theft oftheft attractive property of the aforesaid kind is steadily increasing.The theft of bicycles represents the worst problem in most aspects, andthe following description will therefore concentrate on just thisproblem. It will be understood, however, that the problem is fundamentalto the theft of skiing equipment and golf equipment, and so on.

The bicycle has become an increasingly popular alternative mode oftransportation in keeping with people's awareness of the need to protectthe environment and also in keeping with the physical exercise thatcycling affords. This has led to the sale of more bicycles and more wellequipped bicycles at much higher prices than was earlier the case.Consequently, bicycles are often stolen with the purpose of selling thebicycles for cash either within the country where the theft took placeor abroad. Persons who perpetrate such thefts are more or less organizedbodies. In earlier times a bicycle was often stolen as a means oftransportation, i.e. "borrowed" late at night on weekends in order totravel home from a public house, night club or some like establishmentand were later recovered to a greater extent than at the present time,sometimes in a relatively undamaged state.

This change in the nature of bicycle thefts has resulted in greaterdemands on the security of bicycle locking devices, wherein present daybicycle locks shall not only prevent the immediate use of a bicycle butshall also prevent the bicycle from being carried away, or at least makeit difficult to carry away. As beforementioned, present day bicycles areso expensive as to render the purchase of a bicycle of certain designs alarge and noticeable investment to the purchaser and also to render thebicycle worthy of the best protection possible.

With regard to Swedish circumstances, an insured bicycle carries aself-risk against theft of at least SEK 1000 and in order to give timefor the bicycle to be found and recovered there is a minimum waitingperiod of one month before the insured person is recompensed for his/herloss. The theft of a bicycle is therefore very burdensome to the owner,particularly when the owner is dependent daily on the bicycle, forinstance to travel to and from his place of employment. In order to filea valid claim against bicycle insurance, it is, of course, necessary toprove that the bicycle was locked at the time of the theft. In additionto requiring the bicycle to be locked with a fixed built-in lock, whichis a general requirement, some insurance companies also require thebicycle to be locked firmly to some other object, for instance in abicycle rack, to a post or to some form of building structure, or thatthe bicycle is secured with at least one additional lock that includes awire strop, or a stirrup-like lock.

A number of different types of bicycle locks are available commercially,of which some can be readily forced in a relatively short time whileothers are more stable and so constructed as to resist an attempt toforce the lock for at least so many minutes as to deter a presumptivethief from stealing a bicycle that is secured with such a lock. Mostlock alternatives available to cyclists at the present time arereasonably priced.

In recent years, different site-bound locking systems have beendeveloped where the cyclist is able to firmly lock his/her bicycle,often without charge. These systems presumably have a deterring effecton the majority of thieves.

When seen against this background, it is surprising that the theft ofbicycles increases steadily, despite the number of bicycle lockalternatives now available to the person wishing to keep his/herbicycle. The reason may lie in the fact that many bicycles, perhaps themajority of bicycles, are still poorly locked, and when studying thelock systems available hitherto it will be seen that this is mainly dueto the known systems being encumbered with drawbacks of such a kind andof such seriousness that the lock systems are considered too complicatedby the cyclist.

Wire-strop locks and stirrup locks are bulky when carried on a bicycleduring a journey, normally hanging from some part of the bicycle. Theselocks are in the way, take up room on luggage carriers and may alsoconstitute a safety risk if hung from the handlebars. They can beawkward in the lock mechanism and are always difficult to fit correctlywhen locking the bicycle, as they often need to be threaded through therear wheel of the bicycle in one way or another. The cyclist is requiredto stoop, drop everything and leave both hands free before he or she isable to lock his/her bicycle. There is a serious risk of the clothes ofthe cyclist being dirtied and possibly torn in conjunction with thisprocedure, since the person concerned needs to move in the immediatevicinity of dirty and outwardly projecting parts of the bicycle.

In the best of cases there will be found a permanently fixed object,such as a post or the like, around which the wire strop lock or stirruplock can be passed and therewith require the use of a bolt clipper atleast in order to release the bicycle. In other cases, it is stillpossible to simply carry away a bicycle with locks and all, so thatthese locks can be removed later on in peace and quiet.

Chains and padlocks have all the aforesaid drawbacks besides being muchmore bulky to carry along.

Those site-bound bicycle racks that have locking facilities and whichare now commercially available are also encumbered with obviousdrawbacks which has meant that these racks have not found use inpractice to any great extent. With some of these racks it is necessaryto bend down to pedal level in order to padlock the bicycle. Other rackshave more comfortable maneuvering heights, although they still requirethe cyclist to carry his/her own padlock, stirrup lock or wire stroplock. It is necessary to use both hands when securing all of theselocks.

Finally, site-bound bicycle locks are also available in which thecyclist is not required to provide his/her own lock. These lockingsystems, however, require space, with the result that many cyclists aredenied the possibility of parking their bicycles securely, and are oftenrelatively complicated and require different installation measurementsin streets and in parking facilities in order to functionsatisfactorily. This renders such systems less attractive to those whowish to hire out such systems, because they are expensive and difficultto make cost effective. Permanent cycle racks are also mostly inflexibleand difficult to move or to combine with different locking systems.

Cycle garages that are located in or in the close proximity of anapartment building or tenement building are often difficult to reach.The cyclist is often forced to carry his/her bicycle down a flight ofsteps, through a number of self-closing locked doors, past parked cars,etc., before finally reaching a confined room which is filled withbicycles, often tangled together. The bicycle must also be reliablylocked in such rooms in order for an insurance claim to be valid, eventhough the door is always locked.

In summary it can be maintained that with present day locking systemsthe cyclist is constantly faced with the difficulty of locking his/herbicycle in a reliable fashion wherever he/she may be found. This is thereason why so many bicycles are left standing outdoors unlocked orlocked solely by the permanent built-in bicycle lock. The cyclist doesnot have the time or the energy to lock the bicycle reliably, or doesnot wish to risk becoming dirty or to be adversely affected by thelocking procedure. The cyclist simply trusts in luck and hopes thathe/she will be able to return to the bicycle before any one has had timeto steal it. It is these unlocked or poorly locked bicycles that arestolen. There is every indication that the number of bicycles that arestolen will decrease dramatically when the cyclist is able to lockhis/her bicycle quickly, simply and comfortably at a reasonable cost.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a lockingmethod and a lock system of the afore-described kind with which theaforesaid drawbacks associated with known methods and systems areeliminated, or at least minimized, and which enable locking to beeffected at reasonable costs, quickly, simply and comfortably whilebeing exceptionally flexible at the same time.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by a lockingmethod and a lock system that have the characteristic features set forthin herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in more detail withreference to exemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference tothe accompanying schematic drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a side view, in longitudinal section, of a basic embodiment ofan inventive lock system and shows the system in a locked state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lock system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to the view of FIG. 1 but shows the locksystem components in a mutually separated state with the intention ofillustrating locking of the system;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a lock chest for attachment to abicycle frame, and

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a lock chest integrated in apermanent or fixed bicycle lock.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As will be evident from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the basic inventive locksystem 1 includes an anchoring member 2 having a generally elongatedshape, a separate lock 6 which is intended to be carried by the user,and a "lock chest" 7, i.e. a housing for receiving the lock 6 in asecurely locked fashion. In the illustrated case, the anchoring member 2has the form of a conventional chain, although it may alternatively havethe form of wire strop or a stirrup-like member. The anchoring member 2shall be sufficiently flexible, i.e. bendable, pivotal or swingable, inat least one plane so as to enable the anchoring member to be movedbetween a first position out of engagement with a bicycle which is to belocked and a second position in which the bicycle is securely locked inthe manner described herebelow.

In accordance with the invention, the anchoring member 2 has provided ona first end 2a thereof an attachment plate 4 or the like with which saidmember can be stationarily connected to a fixed, preferably immovableobject 3 (indicated in FIG. 1), which may comprise a structural member,a ground-anchored post or a concrete block which serves as a bicyclerack at the same time, etc. Attachment of the anchoring member 2 to saidobject, i.e. attachment of the attachment plate 4, shall therewith beeffected with such fastener devices 4a (only indicated in FIG. 1) asmanipulation-safe bolts, welds etc., such that said plate cannot beloosened without considerable damage and/or without the use of specialtools. Such fastener devices are known within different technical fieldsand will not therefore be described in detail here.

The other end 2b of the anchoring member has affixed thereto a couplingmember 5 (see in particular FIG. 3) which in the illustrated embodiment,where the separate, owner-carried lock 6 is a cylinder lock, has theform of a coupling sleeve of generally cylindrical shape which isintended to be pushed onto the lock chest 7 (described below) whenlocking the bicycle. It will be understood that the coupling member 5may have one of many different constructions which will enable couplingit up with a lock chest 7 and locking it thereto with the aid of theseparate lock 6, and the invention thus also includes embodiments inwhich the coupling member is inserted into the lock chest and where, inother types of locks, the coupling member has a shape other than agenerally cylindrical shape and adapted to the shape of the lock chest.

In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling member 5 has along the majorpart of its length an inner diameter which is slightly greater than theouter diameter of the lock chest 7 and its outer end in a mounted stateincludes a widened part 5a which is intended to receive and protectlatch elements 6a in the lock 6 (as described below) when securing thelock. Naturally, the coupling member 5 shall be made of a material thatis capable of withstanding a heavy force.

As illustrated, the lock chest 7 of the illustrated embodiment also hasa generally cylindrical wall 7a which is open at one end to form a spacefor receiving the lock/lock cylinder 6, although, like the couplingelement, it may have a different configuration when another type of lockis used. The other end of the lock chest 7 is closed by a bottom wall bwhich functions as an attachment plate for attaching the lock chest to apermanently fixed object 3 in accordance with the aforegoing, preferablyby means of fastener devices (not illustrated) of the same typementioned above with respect to the anchoring member 2. The cylindricalwall 7a includes in the region of its outer open end a number of throughpenetrating openings 7c for receiving the latch elements 6a of the lock6 when locking said lock inserted into the lock chest. The position towhich the lock 6 is inserted in the axial direction of the lock chest isdetermined by a stop flange 7d provided on the inner surface of the lockchest 7. This applies in particular to the illustrated embodiment of thelock chest which has a greater depth that is adapted to the FIG. 5embodiment with the lock chest integrated with the permanent built-inbicycle lock. The additional space is required to provide room for thelonger key that is used in this case. All lock chests included in thesystem will preferably be manufactured from the start with this extradepth in order to provide the possibility of free combination withintegrated lock chests and therewith maximum flexibility.

The bottom wall 7b and the cylindrical wall 7a shall be imperforate,with the exception of the openings 7c, so as to exclude the possibilityof forcing the lock 6 from the lock chest 7. The lock chest shall alsobe made from a material capable of withstanding pronounced violence.

The outer circumferential surface of the lock/lock cylinder 6 and theinner space of the lock chest 7 will conveniently have complementaryconfigurations (not shown) so that the lock cylinder will be guided intothe lock chest in a correct position for inserting the latch elementsinto said openings. These formations or configurations may comprisematching grooves-projections, bevels-thickenings, etc. for facilitatinginsertion of the lock into the lock chest.

Although the illustrated lock 6 has the form of a lock cylinder, whichis believed to be preferable in most cases, not least for reasons ofspace and convenience, it will be understood that the separate lock 6may have a different design. The illustrated lock 6 has two latchelements 6a which can be projected out radially and which in the lockedposition engage in respective openings 7c in the lock chest 7.Preferably, in their non-latching position the latch elements 6a arespring biased radially outwards, such that when the lock is insertedinto a lock chest the latch elements will automatically snap into saidopenings 7c and hold the lock firmly in the lock chest 7. When the key 9is rotated clockwise through an angle of 45° for instance, the latchelements 6a will be locked in an outwardly projected position and thekey 9 can then be removed from the lock. When wishing to remove the lockfrom the lock chest 7, the key is inserted into the lock 6 and turnedanticlockwise through 45°, therewith releasing the latch elements 6awith said elements being held in their outwardly projected position bythe spring bias. The latch elements are retracted into the lock so thatthe lock can be removed from the chest, by turning the key anticlockwisethrough a further 20°. The lock will conveniently be constructed so thatthe key can only be removed from the lock when the lock is in a lockedstate, wherewith the key will always be in place in the lock when thelock is not used.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the lock chest 7'. Inthis embodiment, at the bottom wall 7b', the lock chest is provided witha generally stirrup-shaped clamp means 12 which is intended to befastened to the frame 11 of a bicycle (indicated in FIG. 4), forinstance on the saddle post immediately beneath the saddle. This lockchest embodiment which in other respects may be identical with the lockchest according to FIGS. 1-3, is primarily intended to function as alock storage place when the lock 6 is not in use, whereby the lock willalways be brought along, secured to the bicycle and need not be carriedin a pocket of the user's clothing or placed loosely on the bicycle.Provided that the lock chest 7' of the illustrated embodiment is alsoconnected to the frame in a manner which requires a strong force or aspecial tool to remove the chest, the coupling member 5 of the anchoringmember 2 can be coupled directly to the lock chest 7' of the cycle frameand secured firmly thereto by the lock 6, thereby eliminating the needto pass the anchoring member around the frame.

Finally, FIG. 5 illustrates a further lock chest variant 7" which isintegrated in the permanent bicycle lock 10, preferably a block-typelock (a heavy duty lock normally welded to the rear fork of thebicycle). This is an embodiment which can be developed in the futuretogether with the manufacturers of traditional bicycle locks and/orbicycle manufacturers. More specifically, the lock chest 7" isconstructed as an extension of the lock chest of the standard built-inlock 10 and corresponds to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 withthe exception that a separate bottom wall is not needed in this casesince the wall is formed by the standard permanent lock. The inner stopflange may also be omitted if desired. The main advantage afforded bythis embodiment is that the standard lock 10 and the inventive locksystem 1 can, in this case, be operated simultaneously with one and thesame key 9" having an extended key-bit which includes two functionalparts, namely an outermost part which fits into the block-type lock 10and an inner part which fits into the separate lock 6 of the locksystem 1. This embodiment provides two bicycle locks that are mounted inone and the same position and that can be operated with the aid of oneand the same key. Similar to the FIG. 4 embodiment, the lock chest 7"illustrated in FIG. 5 can be used either to lock the coupling element 5of the anchoring member 2 directly or used solely as a lock storagespace when the lock 6 is not in use.

It will be evident from the above description that in accordance withthe proposed inventive method the anchoring member 2 is connected to apermanent object 3 as before described by the user herself/himself orpreferably by a public leasing agency, such as a local authority, aregional shopping precinct, a tenant-owners' body, etc. When locking thebicycle, in the basic embodiment, the anchoring member is passed arounda part of the bicycle and the coupling member 5 is pushed up onto a lockchest 7, which is similarly connected to the permanently fixed object,and locked firmly with the separate lock 6, which is either kept in theuser's pocket or in a lock chest mounted on the bicycle. Alternatively,the coupling member 5 is pushed up directly onto the bicycle-connectedlock chest 7', 7" and firmly locked thereto, without being passed aroundany part of the bicycle.

The aforesaid locking method and lock system eliminate the deficienciesof bicycle locks used hitherto and described in the introduction. Thebicycle can be locked anywhere where an anchoring member has beenplaced. The coupling and locking procedures can be effected with onehand with minimum stooping, if at all, and without risk of becomingdirty. The locking can thus be made quickly, simply and safely in anunforbidden fashion. The smoothness with which a bicycle can be lockedis further enhanced when the lock is kept on the bicycle and lockeddirectly thereto.

All parts of the lock system can be manufactured and assembled at areasonable cost and investments will therefore be small both to thepublic bicycle parking authority and to the user. The system requires athief to force two locks, which is believed to effectively deter apresumptive thief.

Although the invention has been described in the aforegoing exclusivelywith reference to locking bicycles it will again be emphasized that itcan also be used to securely lock golf equipment and skiing equipment,boat motors/boats etc. by making minor modifications. Standardization ofthe lock system components will provide a system of incomparableflexibility, since a user would be able to use one and the samelock/lock cylinder to lock different types of equipment in differentcircumstances, in accordance with the afore-going.

It will also be understood that the inventive concept includes allvariations and modifications that become apparent to one of normal skillin the art and which fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A locking system for locking theft attractive property to afixed object, comprising, a separate lock comprising latch elements; alock chest comprising an outer wall having openings therein, said lockchest being fixedly connectable to one of a fixed object and a theftattractive property; and an anchoring member having, a first end whichis fixedly connectable to one of said fixed object and said theftattractive property, and a second end which comprises a couplingelement, said coupling element being matable with said lock chest, andeach latch element being engagable with a respective opening and withsaid coupling element to lock together said coupling element and saidlock chest, in a locking mode.
 2. Locking system in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the coupling element, along a major part of its length,has an inner diameter which is somewhat larger than an outer diameter ofsaid lock chest, said lock chest being matable within said couplingelement, and wherein said coupling element comprises means for receivingand protecting the latch elements in the locking mode.
 3. Locking systemin accordance with claim 2, wherein an inner wall surface of said lockchest and an outer wall surface of said lock have complementaryformations for guiding said lock to a position enabling the reception ofsaid latch elements in said openings in the locking mode.
 4. Lockingsystem in accordance with claim 3, wherein said anchoring member has agenerally elongate form, and is pivotal or flexible in at least oneplane.
 5. A lock system according to claim 1, wherein the couplingelement of the anchoring member can be pushed on or inserted into thelock chest, in that the lock chest includes means which in the lockedmode of said lock coact with the latch elements, wherein said latchelement coacting means function to lock the lock in the lock chest andtherewith lock the coupling element in its coupled state.
 6. A locksystem according to claim 5, wherein the coupling element has along themajor part of its length an inner diameter which is slightly greaterthan the outer diameter of the lock chest and is provided at its outerend, seen in its mounted state, with a widened part which is intended tosurround the latch elements of said lock in the locking mode andtherewith protect said latch elements against damage.
 7. A lock systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the coupling element has along the majorpart of its length an inner diameter which is slightly greater than theouter diameter of the lock chest and is provided at its outer end, seenin its mounted state, with a widened part which is intended to surroundthe latch elements of said lock in the locking mode and therewithprotect said latch elements against damage.
 8. A lock system accordingto claim 7, wherein the separate lock is comprised of a lock cylinder,in that the lock chest has a generally cylindrical shape with aninternal space adapted to receive the cylinder of said lock and hasopenings in a cylinder wall for receiving the latch elements on the lockcylinder, and in that the coupling element of the anchoring member iscomprised of a coupling sleeve that can be pushed onto the lock chest.